Eyesore may finally go in land-for-new-homes deal (From Echo)

Eyesore may finally go in land-for-new-homes deal

6:00pm Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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A HALF-demolished former office block on Southend seafront could finally be pulled down to make way for 220 flats and a 64-bedroom budget hotel.

Plans by the Robert Leonard Group, for the site of Esplanade House on Eastern Esplanade, were deferred by the council’s development control committee in September last year because of a row over affordable homes.

As part of the original plan, no affordable homes would have been built, but there would have been student accommodation.

Under the revised scheme, the Robert Leonard Group will hand part of the land it owns to the Guinness Trust housing association, to provide space for at least 44 homes to be built.

Environment director Andy Lewis has recommended members to accept the revised scheme, which includes an 18-storey landmark tower block, at the development control committee meeting on Wednesday.

Mr Lewis said: “While it is not usual practice to accept the provision of land as a contribution for affordable housing, in this case, the abnormal costs would render the development financially unviable.

“Given it is not economically viable for the applicant to make a contribution of affordable housing units in terms of bricks and mortar, provision of land for affordable housing is acceptable.

“This is further supported by the commitment of the Guinness Trust and will ensure affordable housing is provided on site.”

The report concluded: “Esplanade House has remained unused and in its current form is detrimental to the central seafront area . Its redevelopment is considered to be a key driver for investment in the area.

“The proposed development is bold and exciting, with high quality public spaces which will significantly contribute to the seafront’s regeneration.”